Giving Back: Ruth, Kayden and Shane at Midland Meals

For My Supports clients Kayden and Shane, Tuesday nights are about more than a meal – they’re about confidence, connection and being part of something bigger. Here’s how they, along with support worker Ruth, came to be part of Midland Meals.

How it started

Ruth came across Midland Meals as she walked out of her doctor’s office one day, thinking to herself that it would be nice to give something back to her community. So she popped in and had a chat with them about what they do.

Ruth mentioned it to her team leader, Becky, who suggested taking our client Kayden along. They started off in Ellenbrook, as it was a smaller community with about 10 to 15 people each night – perfect for Kayden to get started and build his confidence.

Not long after, the smaller Ellenbrook Meals initiative closed, and Ruth and Kayden moved to Midland Meals. This was a bit of a challenge for Kayden, as suddenly there were 50 to 60 people a night.

A team of three

But they got an extra hand in – our client Shane joined them! Now they go every Tuesday night.

They operate from a 40-foot container out of the Midland Police Station. They unpack the van, set up equipment, tables, bowls, plates and utensils, and get started on their busy nights.

They have a clear setup:

• Shane on the BBQ, frying burgers and eggs
• Kayden on drinks and sweets – cordial, Milo, pastries and desserts
• Ruth in between the two, wrapping up the orders and serving them out

The container also holds donations of clothes, toiletries, dog food, and sanitary and personal care items. After meals are served, people can request items, and the three of them hand those out too.

More than a meal

Ruth really emphasises how important it is to talk to the people who come by, as some might not have had a chat with anyone in days.

The other day, Ruth got talking with a lady who visited, and they discovered they’d both previously lived in the same area in South Australia – and even knew some of the same locals. It made the lady’s day.

Why it matters

Ruth says she’d keep working with Midland Meals even if it wasn’t for supporting Kayden and Shane, because she finds it so rewarding to give back to her community. During a longer period when she was unemployed, she would have loved to be part of an initiative like this, but simply didn’t know about it.

She’d highly recommend getting involved. Midland Meals is always looking for more kitchen staff to prepare soups, salads, sandwiches and more, and they’re open every day from 6pm to 7:30pm.

Want to build community participation into your NDIS plan? Get in touch with our team to explore supports that help you connect, contribute and get involved in your community.